Skip to content
Washington 211 home page

Unemployment Insurance Benefits offered by Washington State Employment Security

Report

Resource Name:Unemployment Insurance Benefits offered by Washington State Employment Security

Agency is located in a secured facility and is not open to the public.

Eligibility

Anyone in Washington state who has worked at least 680 hours during the base year (determined by Employment Security) can file for unemployment.   Eligibility is dependent upon an individual's ability to work, availability for work and the reason (lay-off, discharge, voluntary quit) for present unemployment. At least some wages must have been earned in Washington, unless you recently left the military and are currently located in Washington state.

Hours

Claims Center: M W F, 8am-4pm Tu Th, 8am-noon.
(800) 318-6022

Voice

·

Claims Center

Application process

Call the main line or apply online. To apply for benefits by telephone, a claimant will need their Social Security number. Call must be made before 4pm on Friday in order to receive credit for the week.

Fees

None.

Service area

WA

Other Information

Languages

  • Interpreter services
  • Multi-lingual materials
  • Spanish
Provides initial claim application and certification process for unemployment insurance benefits. A claim is available only for the benefit year. Another new claim cannot be filed until that year is over. Provides up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Each week a claim is filed, claimants must make at least three work search contacts or participate in an approved in-person job search activity at the local WorkSource center. Also offers worker retraining services as a partnership between community and technical colleges and the Washington State Employment Security. Provides funding and other resources to enable unemployed individuals to acquire the skills needed to return to work. This could mean a short-term skills upgrade or a new career path and enrollment in a professional technical program.

Data provided by

Washington 211

Providing organization

Washington State Employment Security
Coordinates the unemployment insurance benefits program for the state of Washington. Program includes benefits for individuals who voluntarily leave work due to domestic violence or stalking. Provides services to citizens seeking work through WorkSource centers located around the state.